GAME INTRO: Cate School and University Prep meet at Warren High School in Downey for the Division 7 title.
The two teams are familiar with each other, having met in last year’s semifinals. Cate won that game on its way to the Southern Section title.
This is the Jaguars first appearance in a CIF championship, while the Rams are here for the second year in a row.
GAME OVER: Just when it looked like the two teams were letting the clock wind down, Ema Boateng dribbled through a host of University Prep defenders and almost scored his second goal but his shot hit off the post. The Rams have made plenty of substitutions in the final 15 minutes to keep their legs fresh and to help with the clock
63rd MINUTE: Avery Schwartz just completed his second hat trick of the 2012 CIF playoff, finishing a ball fed from Ema Boateng. Cate leads 4-1.
55th MINUTE: Cate and University Prep have both scored in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Avery Schwartz ran onto a feed from Ema Boateng and converted his second goal of the day. But University Prep has been playing better in the second half and Oscar Bonilla had a couple of chances before putting away a shot from the right side in the 54th minute.
HALFTIME: Cate holds a 2-0 lead into halftime. The Rams have been dominating possession and have seen the bulk of the dangerous chances. University hasn’t produced any great chances but has been able to get into open space a couple of times on counterattacks.
36th MINUTE: Ema Boateng scores for Cate, giving the Rams a 2-0 advantage not long before half.
35th MINUTE: Cate has kept the ball in its attacking half of the field for most of the first half. The midfield connection of Ema Boateng and Jeffrey Acheampong are doing a good job of breaking down the University Prep defense to create chances for the forwards.
24th MINUTE: Avery Schwartz untangles himself from a University Prep defender and dances around the keeper for a shot at an open-mouthed goal. Cate takes a 1-0 lead.
20th MINUTE: Game is scoreless after 20 minutes. Cate has had the best chances so far, with two near goals in the 18th minute. Avery Schwartz hit the post with a strong shot from the right side. His shot ricocheted off the post and out of bounds. Cate’s ensuing throw-in set up Jeffrey Acheampong for a good look that sailed over the crossbar.
